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chicanery

noun

/ʃɪˈkeɪnəri/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of chicanery

The use of clever but dishonest or deceitful methods to achieve one's goals.
"The election was marred by chicanery and fraud."

Detailed meaning of chicanery

The word is often in the context of legal or political matters. It is characterized by the use of underhanded or unethical tactics, such as trickery, deception, or manipulation, to gain an advantage. The word is often used to describe legal or political trickery or subterfuge. An example of a sentence using the word chicanery would be "He used chicanery to avoid paying taxes and was eventually caught by the authorities."

Example sentences containing chicanery

1. His chicanery in the stock market earned him a hefty prison sentence.
2. Political chicanery often undermines trust in government.
3. The company's financial success was built on a foundation of chicanery.
4. She saw through his chicanery and refused to be manipulated.
5. The CEO's chicanery led to the downfall of a once-thriving business.
6. The scandal exposed a web of corporate chicanery.

History and etymology of chicanery

The noun 'chicanery' has an etymology rooted in the French language. It is derived from the French word 'chicaner,' which originally meant 'to quibble' or 'to engage in legal trickery.' The term 'chicaner' itself has its origins in the Middle French word 'chican,' which referred to a legal dispute or contention. Over time, 'chicanery' evolved to encompass the broader sense of using clever but dishonest or deceitful methods to achieve one's goals, especially in matters involving trickery or manipulation. The etymology of 'chicanery' emphasizes its historical association with legal cunning and manipulation, highlighting the use of crafty and often unethical means to achieve desired outcomes.

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Further usage examples of chicanery

1. He used chicanery to win the election, but his true intentions were clear.
2. The mastermind behind the chicanery remained elusive for years.
3. The courtroom was a battleground of legal chicanery.
4. Uncovering the truth required unraveling layers of political chicanery.
5. The chicanery involved in the embezzlement scheme was breathtaking.
6. His reputation for chicanery made people wary of doing business with him.
7. The detective was skilled at uncovering financial chicanery.
8. The whistleblower exposed the company's unethical chicanery.
9. The movie depicted a thrilling world of espionage and chicanery.
10. The politician's chicanery eroded public trust in government.
11. They resorted to chicanery to gain an unfair advantage in the competition.
12. The chicanery involved in the heist was meticulously planned.
13. The journalist's investigation unveiled a web of political chicanery.
14. His chicanery left a trail of betrayed friendships and broken promises.
15. The courtroom drama was filled with twists and turns of legal chicanery.
16. The fraudster's chicanery duped many unsuspecting investors.
17. She was a master of chicanery, always finding a way to get what she wanted.
18. The company's downfall was a result of years of financial chicanery.
19. The art of chicanery thrived in the world of high-stakes poker.